Conceptually bridging the cross-cultural influences of the East and the West along the ancient Silk Road, this year’s Festival Silk Road for Performing Arts will be kicking off its festivities on Sept. 3.

Slated to be held as part of the ongoing Silk Road Gyeongju 2015 -- the nearly two-month long Eurasia cultural arts festival held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province -- the performing arts platform of the large-scale international cultural exchange event will be highlighting modern and contemporary dance pieces composed by local artists. The productions will be staged at the Daehangno Arts Theater in Seoul.

Historically, the Silk Road was an ancient route that connected parts of Asia with the West as a means of business as well as cultural exchange. The annual Gyeongju Silk Road festival was designed to continue this same patented idea of cultural connection among Eurasian nations, hosting various activities, concerts and performances by local and international figures from the Silk Road nations.

The Festival Silk Road for Performing Arts will allow the city of Seoul to take part in the mass cultural exchange, featuring a wide range of Korean artists and performers who have prepared productions meant to evoke the Gyeongju festival’s Silk Road concept, drawing influences from both Korean and Eurasian cultural history to create their individual modern dance performances.

The 11-day homage to the performing arts will include pieces by respected local directors and choreographers, including theater actor and professor Park Sang-won -- who has been designated as the director of the production “All That Chum,” a historical modern movement piece focusing on the theme of Korea’s 70th liberation anniversary and featuring dancers Choi Chung-ja, Guk Soo-ho, Park Myung-suk and Kim Soon-jung.

“If I could use one word to describe the thought process behind the ‘Silk Road,’ I would say that would have to be ‘exchange,’” said Park at a news conference held in Seoul on Tuesday.

“Through our upcoming performance of ‘All That Chum,’ I intend to bring together all my talents and knowledge that I have gained through my years as a theater personality and a professor and promise the audience an unforgettable show.”

Tickets for the upcoming Festival Silk Road for Performing Arts shows can be purchased online at ticket.interpark.com.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)